Make Dog Socks

You can make dog socks by knitting or crocheting them.

Make just one sock to:
  • Cover a bandage
  • Serve as decoration
  • Or show some team spirit
Decoration can be provided in several ways:
  • Embroider your dog's name or other designs with yarns
  • Thread ribbon through your work
  • Glue on sequins, homemade dog bows etc.
  • Sew on decals or applique pieces
Or make dog socks in sets of four to keep your dog's legs warm

Use colors that match or compliment your dog's fur or clothes.

If you prefer to crochet, see Crocheted Dog Leg Warmers

The knitting pattern shown below to make dog socks is based on a very basic design.

Of course, if you're an experienced knitter, you can get much fancier with cables, knots, using more than one color, etc.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Choose any size yarn and needle you want, but keep the following in mind:
  • The finer the yarn and needle, the tighter the weave is likely to be
  • A really thick yarn may be uncomfortable for your dog to wear and difficult to put on
  • A large diameter needle may create a very open weave that may not keep your dog warm

Before you start to make dog socks, the most important thing to know is approximately how many stitches it takes for you to produce a centimeter or an inch of the pattern you are wanting to use.

If you're not sure, make a practice piece (called a swatch) using 20 stitches and doing at least 10 rows or until you have a good sample to go by.

MEASUREMENTS

  • Measure the circumference of your dog's legs
  • Measure the length of leg you want to have the sock(s) cover
  • Write these measurements down
  • Calculate how many stitches you would need to cast on, based on the number of stitches you produce per cm or inch
  • Don't worry if you're off by a stitch or two, just get as close as possible - use your sample piece as a rough double check

MATERIALS

  • Knitting needles - Your choice of size
  • Yarns - At least 15 feet or 5 meters for one sock

TIME

  • About an hour or two per sock

INSTRUCTIONS FOR KNITTED SOCK

Our dimensions are based on Comet, who weighs 62 lbs.

  • Cast on 28 stitches
  • Rows 1 through 10: Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat to end
  • Row 11: Knit all the way across
  • Row 12: Purl all the way across
  • Repeat rows 11 and 12 for 44 rows
  • Rows 46 to 54: Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat to end
  • Bind off
  • Sew the two seams together, using the same color yarn
  • Do not overlap the seams as that may create an uncomfortable ridge
  • If desired, apply embroidery using a contrasting yarn
Comet's name was done in chain stitch, but other types of embroidery stitching can be used instead

If you're in knitting or crocheting mode and want to create additional outfits out of yarn, why not head to our homemade dog sweaters page to get links to some good free dog sweater patterns?

Happy crafting!

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